Most Commented Stories Tagged: Bulgaria

Reporter Matthew Brunwasser reports on one of the routes chosen by East Germans who wanted to escape their country during the Cold War. It went through Bulgaria, and held the promise of freedom. But many didn't make it.

Bulgaria's church has long been an important cultural and moral center for the country. And over the weekend, for the first time in centuries, the new leader was chosen without government influence. But still, because of decades of political input, the new patriarch assumes office with a bit of uncertainty around him.

A former Norwegian minister nominates Snowden for the Nobel Peace Prize. India's highest court maintains the country's ban on gay sex. And an Iranian teacher stands up for a stricken student who is bullied. All that and more, in today's Global Scan

Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with the BBC's Nick Thorpe in Budapest, Hungary, where some people are still shivering from a lack of heat. The natural gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine is to blame. The dispute apparently ended today, only to start again. We also hear how people are coping with the cold in Bulgaria and Bosnia.

As the Syrian war continues, hope is waning in the refugee camps in neighboring countries. Some Syrians who fled to Turkey are now heading into Bulgaria to start new lives. And Bulgarians are growing weary and wary of welcoming them.

For centuries, people in Bulgaria haven't had much good to say about their neighbors in Turkey. But that's changing now that Bulgarian TV viewers are hooked on Turkish soap operas. Reporter Matthew Brunwasser has the story.

Christopher Columbus lost his flagship, the Santa María, on his first trip to North America and it has remained lost to history, until now. Meanwhile, NATO's successful intervention against Muammar Gaddafi gets a critical look, and Saudi Arabia tries to stop a disease by restricting affection for camels. All that and more, in today's Global Scan.